Microsoft BizSpark - Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps software startups succeed by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools, connecting them with key industry players, including investors, and providing marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs starting a business. Microsoft BizSpark is a worldwide partner of the Founder Institute, providing software, support, facilities, and mentoring to many entrprenuers within the Fouder Insitute network. Learn more about our partnership here, and sign-up for BizSpark here.

Clifford Chance is one of the world's leading law firms, with 33 offices* in 23 countries and some 3,200 legal advisers. www.cliffordchance.com

Sanoma Media is a media company that crosses frontiers, with her expertise, creativity and appealing content Sanoma creates the right context for advertisers to achieve their objectives. Sanoma Media Netherlands B.V. is a part of the Sanoma Group, an European mediagroup operating in several media sectors in twenty countries www.sanomamedia.nl

V-Ventures is a holding company with a portfolio of Dutch investments geared towards news- and information supply and management www.v-ventures.nl

Mentor Video: Research Your Startup

The following is one of my talks for the Founder Institute on the benefits and tactics of research for your startup. Each week, three experienced entrepreneurs discuss a critical subject matter for building an enduring and meaningful company. Founders have a tendency to fall in love with their own idea before they have completed necessary research to validate that the idea is legitimate.

In the talk below, I provide an overview of how the character of different markets affects the reality of operation. Then, the talk covers how good research helps a founder understand both the journey and the destination. It then provides some practical tips and tactics to conduct good research.

In the end, founders can not escape realities of the market that they are actually in, so it is important to learn everything about the market and the market segment through research. Enjoy!

The Founder Institute is the world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, helping aspiring founders across the globe build enduring technology companies. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 50 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 1,563 companies in 5 years. The company's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.